Great Rites Controversy
Videos
The Great Rites Controversy, which took place from 1521 to 1524 in Ming dynasty China, was a dispute between the Jiajing Emperor and his grand secretaries, who were supported by most officials. The di
Zhang Cong supported the Jiajing Emperor's position, and the Emperor later appointed him as grand secretary.
Zhengde Emperor
Videos
The Zhengde Emperor, personal name Zhu Houzhao, was the 11th emperor of the Ming dynasty of China, reigning from 1505 to 1521. He succeeded his father, the Hongzhi Emperor.
Great Rites Controversy
…supported by most officials. The disagreement centered around the status of the Emperor's parents. In 1521, the Jiajing Emperor succeeded his cousin the Zhengde Emperor, who died without children. The grand secretaries, led by Yang Tinghe, and most officials advocated for the new emperor's posthumous adoption by his…
Palace portrait on a hanging scroll
Portrait of the Zhengde Emperor
Portrait of Li Dongyang, c. 1503
Porcelain plate from the Zhengde era; Nanjing Museum